TikTok’s return to US app stores has sparked both relief and uncertainty among its 170 million American users, as the platform’s future remains uncertain amidst a complex web of executive orders, laws, and potential buyers.
TikTok Returns to Apple and Google App Stores
After briefly going dark in the US, TikTok is once again available on the app stores of Apple and Google. This decision comes after President Donald Trump postponed enforcement of a ban on the Chinese-owned social media platform until April 5th.
Launched in China in 2016 as Douyin, TikTok is a short-form video-sharing app that has taken the world by storm.
With over 1 billion active users, it has become one of the fastest-growing social media platforms globally.
TikTok's algorithm uses AI to learn user preferences and serve content tailored to their interests.
The platform has also become a hub for creators to showcase their talents, with many using it as a launching pad for careers in music, dance, and entertainment.
The popular app, used by over 170 million American users, was removed from the app stores last month as the ban deadline approached. However, President Trump signed an executive order granting TikTok a 75-day extension to comply with a law banning the app if it is not sold. According to Bloomberg, Apple and Google received assurances from the Trump administration that they would not be held liable for allowing downloads, and the ban wouldn’t be enforced yet.
The Ban: A History
The ban on TikTok was signed into law by former President Joe Biden last year, ordering ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese owner, to sell the US version of the platform to a neutral party to avoid an outright ban. The Biden administration argued that TikTok could be used by China as a tool for spying and political manipulation. However, China and TikTok have repeatedly denied these accusations.
Trump’s Executive Order
President Trump’s executive order has sparked confusion among technology companies. While Apple and Google kept TikTok out of their app stores, other companies like Oracle resumed working with the app after a brief shutdown in January. The executive order told the Justice Department to refrain from enforcing the law for 75 days while his administration pursued a resolution.
Possible Buyers
President Trump has expressed interest in finding a compromise with ByteDance that complies with the spirit rather than the letter of the law. He has floated an idea of TikTok being jointly owned, and has even suggested selling the app to Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison or billionaire Elon Musk. Other potential buyers include billionaire Frank McCourt, Canadian businessman Kevin O’Leary, and YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, also known as MrBeast.
Larry Ellison is a renowned American businessman and philanthropist.
Born on August 17, 1944, in New York City, he co-founded Oracle Corporation in 1977 with Bob Miner and Ed Oates.
Ellison served as the company's CEO from 1977 to 2014 and chairman until his death in 2023.
He is credited with transforming Oracle into a leading enterprise software provider through strategic acquisitions and innovative technologies.
ByteDance is a Chinese technology company founded in 2012 by Zhang Yiming.
The company is best known for its social media app, TikTok, which was launched in China as Douyin in 2016 and later rebranded globally as 'TikTok' in 2018.
ByteDance has also developed other popular apps, including 'Jinri Toutiao', a news aggregation platform, and 'Helo', a social media app for emerging markets.
The company's headquarters are located in Beijing, China.
The Future of TikTok
As TikTok returns to the app stores, its future remains uncertain. The ban on the app was supported by US lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court. However, President Trump’s executive order has paused enforcement of the ban for now, giving ByteDance more time to comply with the law or find a buyer.
